Mariners Ink Free Agent OF Franklin Gutierrez

The Mariners Wednesday re-signed free agent outfielder and former Gold Glove winner (2010) Franklin Gutierrez, six weeks after Seattle declined the club option on his 2014 contract. Multiple reports say the base salary will be $1 million, with incentives based on production that could add up to an additional $2 million.

Gutierrez, 30, batted .248 with seven doubles and 10 home runs in 41 games last season. He missed 106 games in two DL stints with a strained right hamstring, from April 23-June 21 and June 25-Aug. 25. He was also diagnosed with a form of arthritis — ankylosing spondylitis. In in winter ball in Venezuela, he had a viral infection that stopped him from play.

Gutierrez reached double-digits in home runs (10) for the first time since 2010, despite appearing in only 41 games. He averaged 14.5 at-bats per home run, the sixth-best ratio in the majors by players who hit 10 or more home runs.

He appeared in 478 games for the Mariners from 2009-2013. Gutierrez battled injuries over the last three seasons appearing in only 173 of 486 team games, making six separate trips to the disabled list.

To make room on the 40-man roster, Chance Ruffin was designated for assignment. That means the only remaining player from the 2011 trade of starting pitcher Doug Fister to Detroit is set-up reliever Charlie Furbush.

YourThoughts

1coolguy

Does the contract state it’s for time on the field and not for injury days?
The amount of time he has missed due to injury adds up to a career for most players.
The M’s are taking a big chance here, as they need an everyday center fielder.

jafabian

If he’s healthy he’s an All-Star in the making but he can’t stay healthy. Maybe being the fourth OF is his future.

RadioGuy

Like Raul Ibanez last season, this is a low-risk investment. Then again, so was Jason Bay.

Trygvesture

not Choo, of course. More of the same. They sign one by giving him the world and change, and can’t seem to ever execute a plan for fielding a team that matters. An entire Team. Course, most still won’t play here, so it’s way overpay and/or make low risk investments in those who will and expect better than career years from all of the low-to-mediocre, which can’t ever happen. And that’s exactly the problem. And that’s exactly the result.
Looks like the rebuild plan is right on track for another 5 years. You’re doing a great job, Brownie. I mean Howie.

WeeklyRoundup Email

Followus on Twitter

Likeus on Facebook

Circleus on Google+

SportspressNW.com has partnered with Crosscut.com. Watch exclusive videos of Art Thiel and get the latest political and civic news from the Northwest at Crosscut.com.

ArtThiel on KNKX

Kirsten Kendrick's Q. & A. with Thiel can be heard every Friday during Morning Edition at 5:35am and 7:35am and again that same day on All Things Considered at 4:45pm. It also airs Saturday at 6:35am and 9:35am.